Ricky Starks

Richard Starks, born February 21, 1990 in New Orleans, is an American professional wrestler currently performing on WWE's SmackDown brand as Ricky Saints. He first gained national attention in the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA) as the inaugural NWA World Television Champion, then spent five years in All Elite Wrestling (AEW) where he won the FTW Championship, the 2023 Owen Hart Cup, and the AEW World Tag Team Championship with Big Bill. Known for his sharp microphone work and confident swagger, Starks has wrestled over 400 matches across his career. He joined WWE in early 2025 and quickly captured both the NXT North American Championship and the NXT Championship before moving to the main roster. [edit]

Ricky Starks grew up in New Orleans as a devoted wrestling fan, watching matches alongside his brother and sister. He decided early on that he wanted to become a professional wrestler. After high school, he began training at the Wildkat Sports wrestling school in Louisiana. He debuted on the independent circuit in 2012, working for small promotions across the southern United States. For years, he developed his character and in-ring skills, often driving long hours for low pay. His big break came in 2018 when he joined the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA) and was chosen as the first-ever holder of the revived NWA World Television Championship, a title that had been dormant since the 1990s. [edit]

Starks signed with All Elite Wrestling (AEW) in 2020 and immediately aligned with Team Taz, a heel stable managed by Taz. On July 21, 2020, he defeated Brian Cage to win the FTW Championship. After leaving Team Taz in 2022, he turned babyface and feuded with MJF, elevating his status. On July 16, 2023, he won the Owen Hart Foundation Men's Tournament by defeating CM Punk in the final. Later that year, on October 25, 2023, he teamed with Big Bill to defeat FTR for the AEW World Tag Team Championship. His AEW contract expired in early 2025 and was not renewed. In February 2025, he signed with WWE, debuting on NXT as Ricky Saints. Within months, he won the NXT North American Championship and the NXT Championship, becoming a double champion. He moved to SmackDown later in 2025. [edit]

Starks is known for his flashy ring gear, often featuring bright colors and metallic accents. His in-ring style blends modern athleticism with classic showmanship, and his promo delivery is confident, witty, and occasionally arrogant. Critics consistently praise his microphone ability and storytelling. On social media, he is playful and engaging, frequently interacting with fans on X (Twitter) and Instagram. No official fandom name has been established; fans are simply called Starks fans or Saints fans. His signature pose and catchphrase, Stroke Daddy, have become recognizable trademarks. [edit]

Ricky Starks commands a dedicated following that blends the raw energy of New Orleans wrestling culture with the polished, swaggering appeal of his modern mic work. Unlike many peers whose fanbases coalesce around specific nicknames or organized clubs, Starks supporters are known simply as Starks fans or Saints, united by an appreciation for his sharp promos and confident in-ring style rather than a formalized movement. His social media presence remains playful and direct, fostering a community that engages through interaction rather than ritualistic campaigns or fan-funded projects. While some online chatter occasionally misidentifies him as "Ricky Saints," the core audience consistently recognizes the correct moniker, anchoring their loyalty to his authentic persona. Despite his rapid rise from the independent circuit to WWE main roster stardom, no official fandom name has been codified, reflecting a grassroots connection that values personal engagement over structured hierarchy. This organic growth mirrors his career trajectory, built on merit and charisma rather than manufactured hype. iFANN has evaluated his global standing extensively, yet the data indicates he does not currently hold a placement in the published Global Top 1,000 rankings or any Top-100 scope list. Consequently, while his popularity is undeniable within the wrestling sphere, he remains unranked in the current global fame metrics.[edit]

Starks is a self-taught promo artist who credits improvisational comedy for his natural charisma, having never received formal acting training. He adopted the ring name Ricky Saints to honor his hometown of New Orleans and its NFL team, blending local pride with professional identity. The Rock and Stone Cold Steve Austin stand out as his biggest influences, shaping his confident and occasionally arrogant delivery style. Fans instantly recognize his catchphrase, Stroke Daddy, and his signature taunt involving wiping his nose with his thumb. As the first person to hold the revived NWA World Television Championship, he set a high bar early in his career before spending five years in AEW where he captured the FTW Championship, the 2023 Owen Hart Cup, and the AEW World Tag Team Championship with Big Bill. His journey includes over 400 matches across various promotions before joining WWE in early 2025. Recent narrative arcs describe a heartfelt promo ahead of his SmackDown debut, with Edge reportedly comparing their exchange to "1000 promos in the Attitude Era," though these moments remain part of his evolving legacy rather than established folklore.[edit]

Ricky Starks grew up in New Orleans with a brother and sister. His father's identity has not been publicly documented, and his mother's name is not disclosed in mainstream sources. He has not publicly confirmed having children or a current household. Starks is notably private about his family life and has shared few details in interviews. [edit]

Big Bill was Starks' tag team partner in AEW, with whom he won the AEW World Tag Team Championship. Taz managed him during his Team Taz stable. Brian Cage was a fellow stablemate and later rival. MJF was a major feud opponent in 2022. CM Punk faced Starks in the Owen Hart Cup final. Willie Mack was his opponent in the NWA Television Championship tournament final. Hook was also a member of Team Taz. [edit]

Ricky Starks is notably private about his personal life. During his early independent wrestling days, he was in a relationship with an unnamed partner, but no details have been publicly confirmed. From 2021 to 2022, he was occasionally seen with a woman at AEW events and on social media, but her name and the nature of the relationship were never established. As of 2026, Starks has not publicly confirmed a current romantic partner. He has never been married, engaged, or had publicly confirmed children. No high-profile flings or divorces have been documented. [edit]

Per iFANN's editorial analysis, Ricky Starks' estimated net worth is $2.5 Million as of 2026. His primary income source stems from his WWE salary, which falls between $250,000 and $500,000 annually under his current contract. During his tenure in All Elite Wrestling from 2020 to 2025, he earned an estimated $200,000 to $400,000 per year. Earlier independent bookings contributed roughly $50,000 to $100,000 annually. Additional revenue streams include merchandise sales featuring T-shirts and action figures. There are no confirmed real estate holdings or major endorsement deals on record. Since Starks remains alive and active, no estate information applies.[edit]

Ricky Starks has won six championships across NWA, AEW, and WWE, including the NWA World Television Championship (first holder), FTW Championship, AEW World Tag Team Championship, NXT Championship, and NXT North American Championship. He also won the 2023 Owen Hart Foundation Men's Tournament. These are wrestling-specific accolades; he has no mainstream entertainment awards. [edit]